Page 20 of Muffin Top
"Ms. Jameson, Sheriff Rodriguez, do come in."
"Hi Claude," Honey greeted, stepping through the doorway. "Are they in the parlor?"
"Yes, Miss. Can I get you a drink?"
Honey glanced my way in question.
"A beer would be great."
"Just a glass of soda for me, thanks."
He took our coats and then headed off to the kitchen.
"Was that a butler?" I asked in a low voice as we paused in the entry, Honey adjusting her hair.
"Yeah. Claude. He's been with the family for five years now. Good guy, puts up with a lot."
I'd had no idea butlers still existed today.
"How do I look?" Honey turned to me, holding her arms out at her sides and doing a little spin.
The dark burgundy dress hugged every one of her curves. It dipped into a v at the front, revealing just a hint of the tempting globes of her breasts. She wore fishnet stockings on her legs and fuck-me heels on her feet. She'd done something to her hair causing it to fall in soft ringlets about her face and spill down her back and across her cleavage. She looked like sex in heels.
"Gorgeous," I told her, not even trying to hide the guttural tone in my voice.
She flushed, waving a hand at me. "Shh, you'll get me all worked up."
I reached over pulling her to me, brushing one curl back from her face. "Good. It'll make you think of all the naughty things I want to do to you tonight." I leant down, gently nipping her collar bone.
She leaned into me, but I shifted back, leaving her wanting.
"Come on, sexy. Let's go meet your parents." I linked fingers with her, keeping our hands clasped as she led me through their house.
Palatial was the word I'd used to describe this place. But also, cold and soulless. Honey's little townhouse with its plethora of decorations felt like home compared to this giant behemoth. A few delicately placed ornaments sat here and there, but it looked contrived rather than celebratory.
We paused by the parlor door. Honey straightening beside me. I took in the scene, immediately noting the formal attire. Honey's brother sat with his wife on the far sofa, wine in their hands. Her father cradled a tumbler of something dark beside the fire, while her mother and sister sat on a love seat, chatting about something, wine glasses also in hand.
The scene looked like something out of a TV drama. Everyone dressed up and positioned just so. I'd let Honey choose my outfit and felt immediately glad she'd insisted on the crisp chino’s, dark purple button up and a sports jacket. I had a feeling I'd need all the advantages I could get.
"Sheriff!" Mrs. Jameson rose gracefully from the love seat, gliding across the floor towards us, her hands outstretched in welcome. "We're so pleased you could join us."
I was forced to drop Honey's hand to take her mother's. "Thank you for having me, Mrs. Jameson."
"Oh, please. Call me Helen."
She led me over to the fireplace, introducing me to Honey's father, Richard. I knew her brother Calvin and her sister Willodean from school. I hadn't met her sister-in-law Emily but immediately disliked her. There was something about her that rubbed me the wrong way.
"Hey Sis," Calvin called, stalking across the room to wrap his sister in a hug. "Great to see you."
Honey's arms went around her brother and they swayed for a moment. Willodean followed, hugging her sister and whispering something I didn't catch in her ear. Honey laughed, sending her sister a wink.
"Willodean, come meet the Sheriff," Helen ordered. She sent me a dazzling smile, "my eldest daughter is a financier, you know. We're very proud."
Willodean held out a hand. "Sheriff, I hear through the grapevine you're dating my sister."
I took her hand, giving it a firm shake.
"That's right," I sent a grin Honey's way. "So far, so good. If it keeps going the way it is, we might be heading towards something more permanent."
